Watchcase



WATCHCASE Filed Sept. 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 21, 1933. G. P. DlTlsHElM WATCHCASE Filed Sept. 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet mfom/ff Patented Nov. 21, 1933 WATCHCASE vGaspard Pierre Ditisheim, Paris, France, assignor to Socit Anonyme Montres Clart, a cor- Y ...poration .of France Application September 5, 1930. Serial No. 479,948

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a watch comprising a clock-work with an intermittently actuated hour indicator, i. e. a clock-work of the type in .which the hours and the minutes become successively visible in windows which are provided for this purpose in the watchcase.

The invention has for its object to provide a Watch of the above mentioned type in which the watchcase is closed in an absolutely tight manner so as to prevent the entrance of dust and moisture and in which the reading of the time is possible without the necessity of displacing any moving protecting member, said .watch being so arranged that it may be carried in the pocket together with any other articles without risk of damage.

This invention is `also characterized by the fact that the hours and the minutes become .visible behind windows or shutters of suitable 20form arranged in a detachable disc adapted to be fitted through a spring catch or by ways of clamping in a notch or otherwise in an opening of corresponding form provided in one of the sides of the watchcase for this purpose; such Y "windows being provided with transparent surfaces which are clamped on the inner sides, this setting completing the tightness of the device. This invention is further characterized by the fact that the discs bearing the hours and the BOminutes entirely or only partially project over the periphery of the clock-work and permit by reason of their larger diameter the use of larger digits which are easier read through the windows of the above mentioned detachable disc.

Another feature of this invention finally consists in that the snail wheel in the clock-work is driven in such a Way that said wheel has some angular play which gives the required security in order that the passage from an hour to another is instantaneously effected.

A form of execution of the invention is shown by way of example in the drawings, in which Figure l is a view in perspective showing a watch according to the invention with the window disc removed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in plan from above and shows the window disc. Y Figure 3 is a View corresponding to Figure 2 but showing the disc from beneath.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line A-B in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the clock-work with projecting discs. Referring flrst to Figure 1, the watchcase, which may be of any type, is indicated by 1. It

comprises a hinged cover 2 and an opening 3 which is preferably of circular shape and adapted to receive the disc 4 shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

In said disc are provided two windows 5 and 6 (Figure 2) which are lined with a suitable trans- 60 parent surface clamped as shown by 7 in Figure 3.

Said disc is secured onto the opening 3 of the watchcase by any means of the common practice with which an absolute tightness may be obtained.

In the example shown in the drawings said disc comprises a flange 8 and a sloping part 9 forming a notch for clamping the same in a counterpart of suitable shape provided on the periphery of the opening 3.

The watchcase which is so formed receives the clock-work with intermittently actuated hour indicators, the discs 10 and 1l of which respectively show the hours and the minutes behind 75. windows or shutters 5 and 6 of disc 4. The member 12 for winding up and setting the watch to the right time is protected by the hinged cover 2.

The device formed in this manner provides an absolute tigthness and a constant visibility of the time reading members.

Said visibility is further improved by the arrangement shown in Figure 5.

In said arrangement the discs 10 and 11 project over the outer periphery of the clock-work 12 which is secured in the case 13. In the middle part of said clock work is secured the grand mean wheel with the plain wheel 14 on which the wheel 15 is driven, with a bearing surface on the lower side on which the snail wheel 16 90 is freely adjusted.

17 is the swinging bar which under the impulse of spring 18 and of the snail wheel 16 which may be rotated in both directions causes the rotation of the star wheel 19 in a single di- 95 rection according to the arrow 20. On said star wheel 19 is sceured the dial l0 for the hours.

The pin 2l which is secured to the wheel 15 drives the snail wheel 16 by means of the bore 22 which is provided therein.

The clearance of said pin 21 in the bore 22 ensures in the required manner that the fall of the springing bar 23 takes place instantaneously at the right time, that is when the end of the snail wheel 16 projects over the end 25 of the 105 notch of the springing bar 23.

Said arrangement is a feature of this invention.

The dial 11 for the minutes is secured to the wheel 26 and connected by said wheel with the 110 hours together with the dials inclusiveiy and with the required safety.

28'is a safety spring through which a. rotation of the star wheel 19 under the effect of vibration is prevented when the` springing' bal" 231s, released. A

I claim:

1. A hermetic watch case for a watch, coinprising a hermetic box enclosing the watch movement, a hinged cover mounted on the box and protecting the winding and setting means. one of the faces of the box having an opening therein, a metal member of the same dimension as the opening in the box and immovablyrtixed to said box under pesslire, said member having openings therein, and transparent elements closing these openings and seated therein.

2. A watch case as set forth in claim 1, each opening being a portion of an annulus.

il.V A watch case as set forth in claim 1, wherein each opening is symmetrical with respect to a diameter of the metal member.

GASPARD PIERRE nmsHEIM. 

